MLB seizes control of Dodgers

Times wires
Wednesday, April 20, 2011

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball is taking the extraordinary step of assuming control of the Dodgers, a team increasingly paralyzed by the divorce of owners Frank and Jamie McCourt.

The franchise has been consumed by infighting since Jamie McCourt filed for divorce after 30 years of marriage in October 2009, one week after her husband fired her as chief executive.

Commisioner Bud Selig told Frank McCourt he will appoint a representative to oversee all aspects of the business and day-to-day operations. The New York Times reported Selig is strongly considering forcing the sale of the club by invoking his "best interests of baseball" powers.

The Los Angeles Times reported this week that Frank McCourt had arranged a $30 million loan from Fox, the team's television partner. The paper said the money was needed to make payroll.

Questions were raised about the McCourts when they bought the team from Fox in 2004. Frank McCourt borrowed all but $9 million of the $430 million purchase price, an unusually large amount of financing, but MLB approved the deal.

Though the Dodgers have generated considerable revenue, court documents revealed that from 2004-09 the McCourts—using the Dodgers and related assets as collateral—had racked up $459 million in debt.

BREWERS: RHP Zack Greinke pitched three shutout innings Tuesday in a rehab start for Class A Brevard County. Greinke, out with a fractured rib, is likely to need three more rehab starts.

GIANTS: 3B Pablo Sandoval was scratched after straining his right triceps and is day to day. Also, OF Cody Ross was activated from the 15-day disabled list and rookie 1B Brandon Belt was optioned to Triple-A Fresno.

MARLINS: LF Logan Morrison felt more soreness in his left foot a day after injuring it and had an MRI exam.

RANGERS: Minor-league RHP Eric Hurley has a mild concussion and a small fracture after being struck on the right side of a head by a one-hopper Monday.

TIGERS: RH reliever Joel Zumaya will delay right elbow surgery for six more weeks to see if he can pitch this season.

WHITE SOX: RHP Jake Peavy, who left Monday's Double-A rehab start after 15 pitches with irritation in his surgically repaired right shoulder, hopes to make another start next week.

YANKEES: RHP Phil Hughes felt good after a 30-pitch bullpen session, his first time on the mound since going on the disabled list with what the team called a "dead arm."

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/mlb-seizes-control-of-dodgers/1165051

Julio Arca Consumer spending CVs Mortgages English Defence League Antigua & Barbuda